Best of Borneo

Borneo is one of the world's greatest natural wonders, with an all-encompassing biodiversity. It is a remarkable place where the great outdoors thrive with miracles and spectacles. Encounter a treasure trove of flora, wildlife, landscapes and indigenous customs. Borneo is also the home of the last wild orangutans, sadly under threat from habitat destruction.

Your holiday package includes:

• Economy class flight to Kuching, returning from Kuala Lumpur
• 14 day Best of Borneo Tour, Kuching to Kota Kinabalu
• Includes 13 nights in 4 star accommodation and eco lodges
• 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 13 dinners
• Touring with Guides and entrance fees
• All domestic transportation
• Economy class flight from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur
• 3 nights accommodation in Kuala Lumpur including breakfast
• Street Food Trail with River Of Life & Kuala Lumpur By Night
• Suburbs of Kuala Lumpur
• Private return airport transfers in Kuala Lumpur

***Rate based on 22 April to 09 May 2023***

***Additional dates available, a surcharge may apply***

Day 1: Kuching
Enjoy dinner in Kuching with your fellow travellers

Day 2: Kuching
Spend the day enjoying the diverse culture of Sarawak with a walking tour, starting at the Chinese History Museum on Kuching's waterfront. Stroll past the traditional Chinese shop houses of Ewe Hai Street and pay a visit to a 'sinseh', a Chinese medicine man. Next you'll be introduced to Sarawa's delicious food, with a tasting at a local coffee shop. Continue to the Sarawak Museum, before a sampan ride across Kuching's river to visit a Malay village.

Day 3: Bako National Park
Travel out to Bako before boarding a boat to reach the national park. Explore the park on foot with a guide – one of Borneo's most bio-diverse areas, the diversity of flora and fauna here is incredible and easily accessible. Following trails along streams, past caves and across plateaus, keeping an eye out for wild boar, macaques, monitor lizards and, if you're lucky, a proboscis monkey. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Day 4: Semenggoh Nature Reserve
This morning you have the opportunity to meet Borneo’s most famous native, the orangutan! Semenggoh is a centre dedicated to the rehabilitation of rescued or orphaned young orangutans – here they are taught how to survive in the wild. The area you are visiting is where the orangutans are released after their training, to live freely in the nature reserve, so please bear in mind that it is not guaranteed that you will spot a resident. Travel to Sri Aman.

Day 5: Iban Longhouse
Today you will discover more about Borneo's native Iban people, renowned for their practise of headhunting. Head out into the wilderness in a traditional Iban longboat and cruise to a longhouse where you will meet an Iban community. Witness a performance of a traditional war dance in full regalia and lunch on Iban cuisine. Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6: Return to Kuching
Journey back to Kuching, stopping en route for lunch at a local café.

Day 7: Fly to Kinabalu
Transfer to the airport and fly over to Malaysian Borneo's other state, Sabah, and the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 8: Explore Kota Kinabalu
Begin your explorations at the Sabah State Museum where you can learn about the state's diverse cultural and natural heritage, before exploring some of the city's beautiful architecture, including the Blue Mosque and Chinese Temple. Browse the piles of wares at the handicraft market and spice bazaar, before strolling through the oldest part of the city. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine on traditional Malay cuisine.

Day 9: Kinabalu Park
Head out of the city to the foot of Mt Kinabalu, Borneo's highest mountain, where you will spend the day exploring Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embark on a guided walk along one of the many forest trails to discover some of the unique flora and fauna that calls the area home.

Day 10: Fly to Sandakan
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sandakan. Visit the Sandakan Memorial Park, which commemorates British and Australian prisoners of war during World War II. Continue into Sandakan itself and tour the city, passing the William Pryer and Sandakan Liberation monuments. This evening, continue to Sepilok, where you'll stay in a nature resort at the rainforest's edge.

Day 11: Sepilok Orangutan Centre
Sepilok offers another chance to see orangutans in their natural habitat – like Semenggoh, this is a centre for the rehabilitation of former captive and orphaned orangutans. Around 60 to 80 orangutans live free within the centre's forest and there may be young orangutans to visit in the nursery. Head across the road to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to visit the world's smallest bear and learn about the conservation efforts to protect them. Journey to Bilit and enjoy lunch at your lodge. Later, board a cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot some of the abundant wildlife.

Day 12: Kinabatangan River
Embark on an early morning cruise to the Oxbow Lake, where you can spot wildlife and soak up the peaceful ambience. Returning to the lodge, the rest of the day is at leisure until the late afternoon, when you'll head out for another cruise, searching for wildlife once more. You could spot anything from horn-bills to pygmy elephants!

Day 13: Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu
Return to Sandakan for lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport to fly back to Kota Kinabalu. This evening, dine on local flavours and enjoy a cultural dance performance.

Day 14: Kota Kinabalu
Your tour comes to an end.

Street Food Trail with River Of Life & Kuala Lumpur By Night
When dark falls discover the best of Kuala Lumpur local delicacy with our guide picking up the best available dishes where the locals fill their stomach. From char kwei teow to charcoal BBQ satay and BBQ chicken, the trail has just begun. So be ready for the yummy yummy food trail. Be Local & Explore the wide range of food and sample the taste of real Malaysian Food. Drive through residential and old part of the city, Chinatown to view and photo-shoot of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Independence Ground, River Of Life & Petronas Twin Tower (KLCC) by Night.

Suburbs of Kuala Lumpur

Our first stop, The Royal Selangor is recognised as the Traveller’s Choice Award by TripAdvisor 2015. Come and find out for yourself why this fascinating place is loved by tourists all around the world. See first-hand the skilled art of pewter and learn all about its history through the in-depth exhibitions. Next, we’ll head up to the Batik Factory, a real treat for your eyes. Learn about how the wax and dye are used combined to give a beautiful effect. Watch as motifs and patterns are drawn with a canting pen filled with wax. Admire all the various Batik’s, handmade with love and talent. Our last stop is the breathtaking Batu Caves, a limestone hill with many enchanting caves and temples. Travel up the 272 steps and feast your eyes upon this magical location. Observe the tallest golden statue of Lord Muruga in the world, guarding the main entrance. Explore and breathe in the peaceful environment. This sight is most famous for hosting the Thaipusam festival where devotees come and carry out their religious activities. 

Prices listed are per person in Australian/New Zealand Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking. Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 22 July 2022 and can be withdrawn without notice. Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated. Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Hotel location and inclusions may vary depending on availability and alternative dates of travel. Visas are not included. Airfares are based on economy class flights from Sydney and are subject to the carriers’ flight schedules and conditions, please call us for prices from other cities. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Select departures in 2022 are valid for a $500 discount per person. Deal may be withdrawn at any time without notice.